Born and raised in Chicago, Diane Alexander White has lived an urban existence that has refined her eye as a photographer. After receiving a Communications Design/Photography B.A. from The University of Illinois, Chicago, Diane served as a photographer at the Field Museum from 1983-2022. In addition to photographing natural history collections, Diane created three photography exhibits showcasing the extensive Native American collection of artifacts called, "With Patience and Good Will: The Art of the Arapaho," "Cheyenne Visions" and "Travels of the Crow: Journey of an Indian Nation". The exhibits traveled to museums and tribal lands of the Plains Indians funded was granted by NAGPRA, The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
Currently at the National Hellenic Museum, see three exhibits of Diane’s photographic work that include:
Gather Together: Chicago Street Photography by Diane Alexander White where the role of community and connection in our lives can be seen through a selection of 80 photographs. From 1974 through the 2000s Diane has photographed Chicago’s community festivals and street parades. Depicted events include the Greek Independence Day Parade, Greek Festival, Bud Billiken Day Parade, Japanese Festival, Chinese New Year Parade, Puerto Rican Festival, Mexican Civic Society Parade, Mexican Festival, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Jewish Festival, German Von Steuben Day Parade, Polish Festival, Festa Italiana and the Indo-Pak Parade. The exhibit opened in 2022 and will be open until further notice.
Storytelling in Cloth and Light began its open run at the NHM in September 2022. The exhibition displays textiles meticulously woven in Greece, and brought across the ocean to the United States. Accompanying this brilliant needle work are photographs taken by Chicago-based Greek American Diane Alexander White during her 1977 backpacking trip to Greece with her camera and color and black and white film.
Cyprus: 1974 opened in the Syllogi: the Collection Gallery at the NHM in 2024 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Diane photographed the protest on Michigan Avenue on August 19, 1974. Thousands of marchers staged a sit-in on Michigan Avenue with anti-Turkish signs and anti-Kissinger signs. See the photos and artifacts that include flyers, a pin back, newspapers and maps. Since 1974, the once unified island of Cyprus has been divided into 2 countries: the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus.
A permanent exhibit of photographs was created at the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago, in 2023/ 2024. The photos capture Greek life in Chicago and Greece in the 1970s and 1980s that include the Greek Independence Day Parades, Greektown Chicago on Halsted Street and photos of Greece during Diane's backing trip in 1977.
Diane’s extensive vintage urban photographs have appeared in print and film and can be seen on Netfix, HBO, the BBC, PBS, HULU and more. Photography continues to inspire Diane as she seeks the next illusive image.
Interviews of Diane's work here!
2. Diane Alexander White opens Chicago street photography exhibit, ABC Channel 7
3. Chicago Photographer Captured Communal Magic of City Festivals, Chicago Tonight
4. She's a Chicago photographer with more than 50 years experience and now her work is featured at a local museum, Fox 32 Chicago
5. New City Art
7. Ergon: In Focus: Diane Alexander White Photography